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The Piqua Community Foundation awarded $65,650 to organizations that serve Piqua residents this month.

The distribution is part of The Foundation’s twice-annual standard grant cycles from unrestricted funds. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval based on a grant application and review process.

The organizations awarded 2022 spring grants are:

Bethany Center – blessing food box

The Edison Foundation – biology structural models

The Edison Foundation – Edison State Charger Stations

The Edison Foundation – EMT, nursing & paramedic IV hand models

Friends of the Piqua Parks – repair of baseball/softball area at Pitsenbarger Sports Complex

Friends of the Piqua Public Library – plaster bust of William H. Pitsenbarger

Miami County YMCA – new facility campaign

Piqua Catholic School – Regulating Our Bodies materials

Piqua City Schools – Piqua Central Intermediate School – Draw Your Destiny assembly

Piqua City Schools – Piqua Central Intermediate School – garden mulching project

Piqua City Schools – Piqua High School – William H. Pitsenbarger mural project

Piqua Neighborhood Improvement Corporation – Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Piqua Police Department – Piqua Careful Corners

SafeHaven, Inc. – vocational readiness

St. James Episcopal Church – little pantry

Young Life – summer camp fundraisers

The grant awards were made to a variety of organization service sectors, all with a demonstrated impact on Piqua residents. Chief Rick Byron said that the grant received by the Piqua Police Department will allow the purchase of supplies to continue to efficiently offer the Careful Corners program to local youth.

Piqua Police Department – Careful Corners program

“With support from The Piqua Community Foundation grant, the Piqua Police Department will be able to rejuvenate the Careful Corners Program for Piqua children entering kindergarten in the fall,” Byron said. “Grant funding will help to purchase a street scene tarp and other equipment for the program. Thank you for your generous grant for our Careful Corners program.”

Piqua Neighborhood Improvement Corp. – Neighbors Helping Neighbors

SafeHaven, Inc. – vocational readiness

The Piqua Community Foundation’s next grant cycle has a September 30 deadline. To learn more about the grant and scholarship programs of The Piqua Community Foundation, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants.

Apply by July 28 for charitable grant competition with $50,000 top prize

The Piqua Community Foundation is proud to announce that applications are open for the second year of Pitch Piqua. This initiative is a charitable grant pitch competition with a $50,000 top prize for nonprofit organizations with a project benefiting Piqua.

“Pitch Piqua is an ultra-local grant competition that promotes local philanthropy and supports our community’s nonprofit sector,” said Emily Shawler, Foundation president and Resource Committee chairwoman. “We are thrilled to launch our second year of the initiation after a stellar inaugural program.”

The audience cheers as Piqua Compassion Network is presented the $50,000 award at the inaugural Pitch Piqua in March at Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center. Applications for the 2022-2023 initiative are now open. Details are available at piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

Applications — simple narratives describing the project idea and the community need it meets — are accepted now through July 28. Ideas are developed as a partnership between each of the three finalist organizations selected and The Foundation in the months leading up to the public event. Finalists work with Foundation staff on project scope, budgeting, capacity-building and storytelling presentation skills through this time.

The finalists then present their concepts at a community event on March 2, 2023, to a panel of judges who will decide the same day which organization wins the $50,000 award for its presented project. The other two finalist organizations will each be awarded a $5,000 unrestricted award. The funding for the grant awards is supplied by the fundholders of The Foundation. All finalists will also be eligible for pass-through designated donations made by community members.

The project concepts will be evaluated on their impact on Piqua residents, evidence of a demonstrated community need, readiness for launch, sustainability of the project and quality of the presentation.

To find the guidelines and application instructions, learn about the 2021-2022 finalist organizations and learn how Pitch Piqua will benefit our community, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

Piqua Compassion Network wins top prize at charitable grant pitch event

Piqua Compassion Network team Rebecca Sousek, Chloe Clark & Caleb Patton and Foundation Executive Director Michelle Perry

The Piqua Community Foundation disbursed more than $68,000 in grant and pass-through community donations to the three Pitch Piqua finalist organizations at the charitable grant pitch competition March 3. The finalist teams presented to a crowd of an estimated 300 energetic attendees at The Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center.

“There is one thing I am sure of — I am proud to be from Piqua!” said Emily E. Shawler, president of The Piqua Community Foundation Board of Directors. “I am so grateful to everyone who came to the event and supported all three of our finalist groups. All three groups’ big ideas were worthy of winning the $50,000 grant. I look forward to seeing the success of the Piqua Compassion Network’s Power Project and hope all three projects will move forward!”

Foundation Executive Director Michelle Perry, Child Care Choices, Inc. team, Piqua City Schools team and Piqua Compassion Network team

The top-scoring organization, Piqua Compassion Network, secured the $50,000 grant award for its proposed project. The other two finalist organizations, Piqua City Schools and Child Care Choices, Inc., were each awarded a $5,000 unrestricted award. The funding for the grant awards is supplied by The French Oil Mill Machinery Company Fund, The Richard Donnelly Personal Gifting Account, The G. William Hartzell Charitable Fund and unrestricted funds of The Piqua Community Foundation.

Donors Lt Col Daniel P. French, USAFR, Ret & Margaret L. French

“Launching a new initiative is a leap of faith for an organization,” said Michelle Perry, executive director of The Piqua Community Foundation. “Pitch Piqua is possible because our Board of Directors and fundholders saw the vision and wholeheartedly put their support behind it. They understand that making an investment of this size will have dividends for years to come in strengthening our community.”

Edison State Community College, Miami Valley Steel Service, Inc., Park National Bank and Premier Health | Upper Valley Medical Center sponsored the event that had an affordable ticket cost to maximize involvement in local philanthropy.

The 2022 Pitch Piqua judges were Amanda Brown, Timothy Risner, Jim Sever and Kathy Sherman. They evaluated the project concepts on their impact on Piqua residents, evidence of a demonstrated community need, readiness for launch, sustainability of the project and quality of the presentation.

2022 Pitch Piqua judges (l-r) Amanda Brown, Timothy Risner, Jim Sever & Kathy Sherman

The community acted as the collective fifth judge as supporters voted for their favorite project(s) with a pass-through donation of $10 or more. In all, the organizations earned more than $8,000 in pass-through funds to support their mission.

The Edison State Community College accounting program students, under the direction of instructors Sandra Streitenberger and Holly Stewart, acted as the Tally Team to calculate the scores and donations.

Piqua Compassion Network, represented by Executive Director Rebecca Sousek & volunteers Chloe Clark & Caleb Patton, won the $50,000 top prize for The Power Project at the event culminating the inaugural initiative. In addition, supporters donated more than $5,100 in pass-through donations to the organization.

The Power Project will create a safe and inviting center for all teens at the Mote Park community building through a partnership with the City of Piqua and private partners. The center will provide teens access to basic needs resources and use fitness and education to give teens power over their physical, mental and social health.

“We are so grateful for this opportunity from The Piqua Community Foundation and all of the sponsors for making this event happen. It was truly a night to remember, and The Power Project will be forever thankful,” said the Piqua Compassion Network team.

Piqua City Schools, represented by Directors of Curriculum Teresa Anderson & Scott Bloom, won a $5,000 unrestricted grant and nearly $1,600 in pass-through donations for their proposal.

The school district seeks to increase the impact of its bookmobile program by purchasing a new van outfitted with bookshelves and displays for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning tools to bring learning to children’s neighborhoods and at community events.

“When you hear people say ‘everyone’s a winner,’ it is true in this case! Each group benefited from the experience, but most importantly our community will be better as a result of the generosity and creativity of The Piqua Community Foundation Pitch Piqua grant!” said the Piqua City Schools team.

Child Care Choices, Inc., represented by Co-Directors Jenny Fox & Renee Matsunami, won a $5,000 unrestricted grant and nearly $1,500 in pass-through donations for their proposal.

The organization seeks to bolster the child care workforce in Piqua to open additional spots for children, allowing their parents/caregivers to work. The proposal laid out the economic development benefits of increasing child care capacity and serving centers and preschools with shared resources.

“Pitch Piqua was an incredible journey of discovery, soul searching, prioritizing and focusing in on our mission. The people we met, the learning process for creating our pitch, and the experience of working with The Piqua Community Foundation and other finalists was transformative for our agency,” said the Child Care Choices, Inc. team.

The Foundation will remain a partner with these organizations as they continue to seek community support for their projects. Additionally, The Foundation invites nonprofit leaders to think of their own big ideas for the next Pitch Piqua cycle, with an application deadline of July 28, 2022.

To learn more and to watch the videos of the Pitch Piqua presentations, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

The Piqua Community Foundation welcomed Trenton Karn to the Board of Directors earlier this year after the organization’s Life Trustees elected him at the annual meeting in November.

Trenton’s service on the board began on January 1, 2022, and continues through December 31, 2024.

Trenton fills the seat of former Board of Directors member Stacy P. Scott, who retired at the end of December after 18 years of service, including two years as the board’s president.

Trenton was born and raised in Piqua. He graduated from University of Dayton. He has worked at Hemm’s Glass for almost 20 years, where he is part of the leadership team, heading up the project management team. He and his wife, Andrea Karn, have four children – Aubri, Melanie, Vincent and Ellie.

In addition to joining The Piqua Community Foundation Board of Directors, Trenton serves as a board member for the Salvation Army. He has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Piqua Area Chamber of Commerce and the United Way of Miami County.

See the full Piqua Community Foundation Board of Directors list here: http://piquacommunityfoundation.org/about-us/our-board/

The Foundation presented two local volunteers with The Scott J. Hinsch and Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Awards on Monday.

Jack Noah and Cari Beth Noah of The Hinsch Family Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation

The following volunteers received the awards in surprise presentations:

• Kenneth J. Grimes, Miami Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America
• Edna Stiefel, Friends of the Piqua Parks

The recipients received a glass plaque to commemorate the occasion, and the nominating nonprofit agency received a $2,000 unrestricted grant from The Hinsch Family Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation, in recognition of that outstanding volunteer. The Hinsch awards are offered annually, typically to one male and one female volunteer.

Cari Beth Noah and 10-year-old Jack Noah, granddaughter and great-grandson of the awards’ namesakes, respectively, presented the awards to recognize their legacy of service to the Piqua community. Cari Beth Noah also represented her parents, John and Marsha Hinsch, and her aunt, Dr. Linda Hinsch Campbell, who founded the fund and were unable to attend the presentations.

“The Hinsch family and The Hinsch Family Fund committee are touched by Edna and Ken’s contributions in 2021 to their respective organizations in service to Piqua residents,” John Hinsch said. “We recognize that 2021 was a year of increased need in our service organizations, and we are so inspired by the incredible dedication of these volunteers to rally around their community. We are so humbled to share these awards in memory of my parents who loved and served Piqua all their lives.”

The Scott J. Hinsch Community Service Award winner – Kenneth J. Grimes

The Hinsch Family Fund of The Piqua Community Foundation awarded Kenneth J. Grimes with the Scott J. Hinsch Community Service Award on Monday in recognition of his volunteer service to the Miami Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America. Pictured, from left to right, are Scouting Executive/Executive Director Jeffrey R. Schiavone, Kenneth J. Grimes, wife Linda Grimes, Senior District Executive Amanda Schaedig and Development Director Iris Juergens.

Iris Juergens, development director for Miami Valley Council, Boys Scouts of America, nominated Grimes for leading Troop 295 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in their efforts to provide meals to people who were directly impacted by COVID-19 during 2021.

“One of Mr. Grimes’ greatest strengths is his reliability,” Juergens said in her nomination form. “It is due to Mr. Grimes’ personal investment of time, talent and treasure that the Miami Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America was able to provide scouting during times when we had to pivot quickly. His efforts ensure Scouting continues at an exemplary level for all our youth.”

The Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Award winner – Edna Stiefel

Edna Stiefel, front, poses with Friends of the Piqua Parks committee members, from left to right, Jim Vetter, President Ruth A. Koon and Russ Fashner on Monday as The Piqua Community Foundation presented her with the Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Award. The award is a part of the Hinsch Family Fund of The Foundation and is accompanied by a $2,000 unrestricted grant award for the nominating organization.

Ruth A. Koon, president of Friends of the Piqua Parks, nominated Stiefel for her fundraising efforts to increase the number of trees in the Piqua parks in 2021. Koon said Stiefel is an advocate for the development of the Piqua’s park system and is highly regarded by City of Piqua parks staff and community.

“She truly is a committed and enthusiastic volunteer for our committee and for our community,” Koon stated in her nomination form. “The project would not have happened if it had not been for Stiefel’s leadership.”

The Hinsch Family Fund committee, the nominators and family members of the awardees presented the awards Monday. To watch livestream videos and view more photos from the awards presentations, visit The Piqua Community Foundation’s Facebook page.

For more information about The Piqua Community Foundation and The Scott J. Hinsch and Margaret W. Hinsch Community Service Awards, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants/hinsch/.

The Piqua Community Foundation announced today that tickets are now on sale for its Pitch Piqua community grant presentations on March 3 as the three finalist organizations compete for the $50,000 top prize.

The three finalist organizations presenting at the initiative’s culminating event are, left to right:

• Piqua City Schools, represented by Directors of Curriculum Scott Bloom & Teresa Anderson
• Piqua Compassion Network, represented by Executive Director Rebecca Sousek & volunteers Caleb Patton & Chloe Clark
• Child Care Choices, Inc., represented by Co-Directors Renee Matsunami & Jenny Fox

The finalist teams have been developing their concepts alongside The Foundation since the summer of 2021. Topics covered include project scope, budgeting, capacity-building and storytelling presentation skills.

The finalist teams are now ready to present their concepts at a community event from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2022, at the Fort Piqua Plaza Banquet Center. Event tickets are $20 and include event entry, hors d’oeuvres and two drink tickets for the cash bar.

“We hope to fill Fort Piqua Plaza with community members who support these organizations and our community,” said Emily Shawler, Foundation president and Resource Committee chairwoman. “Pitch Piqua is all about building capacity within our nonprofit community, making a huge impact with Foundation assets and engaging the community around local philanthropy. This event is the high-energy, feel-good community gathering we all need right now. You don’t want to miss it!”

The teams will present to a crowd of supportive community members as well as a panel of four in-person judges representing various sectors of our community. All finalists will also be eligible for pass-through designated donations made by community members, who collectively act as the fifth judge.

“The three finalist teams have been hard at work since last summer on their project concepts and are ready to share their big ideas with our community,” said Foundation Executive Director Michelle Perry. “And while there are big dollars at stake in this competition, we know that local philanthropy is for everyone. Any pass-through donation of $10 or more to the finalist organization of your choice counts as a vote for their success. You can help decide who wins the grand prize!”

The judges will evaluate the project concepts on their impact on Piqua residents, evidence of a demonstrated community need, readiness for launch, sustainability of the project and quality of the presentation.

The top-scoring organization will secure the $50,000 grant award for their proposed project. The other two finalist organizations will each be awarded a $5,000 unrestricted award. The funding for the grant awards is supplied by the fundholders of The Foundation.

To purchase event tickets, vote for your favorite finalist organization(s) and to learn more about how Pitch Piqua and The Piqua Community Foundation benefit our community, visit piquacommunityfoundation.org/pitchpiqua.

The Piqua Community Foundation is accepting standard grant applications for its spring grant cycle through March 31.

The Foundation accepts project-based grant applications twice a year from nonprofit organizations serving Piqua residents with a mission that is religious, educational, scientific, literary or charitable in nature. Applicants must provide documentation demonstrating the organization’s 501(c)(3) or equivalent tax-exempt status.

The spring 2022 distribution is part of The Foundation’s semiannual grant cycles from unrestricted funds. The Foundation’s Distribution Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval based on the grant application and review process.

The Piqua Community Foundation recognized these organizational representatives receiving grant awards for programs serving Piqua residents in its spring and fall cycles in 2021. They were acknowledged at The Foundation’s annual meeting on November 9.

The Piqua Community Foundation’s grant program guidelines and application form can be found by visiting piquacommunityfoundation.org/grants. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines and then confirm their organization’s eligibility by emailing info@piquacommunityfoundation.org or calling 937.615.9080.

The Foundation has opened its 2022 scholarship season and welcomes applications from local students.

Scholarships through The Foundation are made possible by fund donors who value continuing education and wish to give back to the community. Each of the scholarships offered is distinct in its guidelines directed by the donor when the fund was established.

Scholarship information is available through local schools’ guidance counselors or by visiting piquacommunityfoundation.org/scholarships. Questions about The Foundation’s scholarship programs may be directed to info@piquacommunityfoundation.org or 937.615.9080.

2021 scholarship winners